Greentech Lead America: SAGE, a provider of glass
technology, announced that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has
selected SageGlass dynamic glass for its Green Proving Ground program
that evaluates innovative sustainable building technologies.
Green Proving Ground uses GSA-managed properties to
evaluate technologies that reduce energy in federal buildings and have
significant savings potential if widely implemented.
GSA works with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National
Laboratories to conduct these tests.
The technologies are selected for their potential to help
reduce operating costs, improve occupant well-being and to meet the
sustainability goals in President Obama’s Executive Order on
environmental, energy and economic performance.
The technology will be evaluated at the Donna-Rio Bravo
U.S. Land Port of Entry, a Green Proving Ground project and the first
LEED Gold-accredited port of entry in Texas. The building serves as the
checkpoint and inspection facility for civilian traffic crossing the Rio Grande
into and from Mexico via the Alliance International Bridge.
SageGlass is electronically tintable dynamic glass that
maximizes daylight and outdoor views in buildings while controlling solar glare
and heat gain. The glass can darken and clear on demand or automatically using
sensors to help keep border agents comfortable.
The agents also need maximum visibility and unobstructed
views at all angles throughout the day and in any weather condition to do their
jobs. SageGlass will enable the port of entry to control the intense Texas
sunlight throughout the day and seasons without having to install sunshades or
blinds, or resort to sunglasses, visors or other sun-blocking methods that
would otherwise compromise the outdoor view.
By regulating solar heat gain and optimizing daylight,
SageGlass can also improve the energy efficiency of the port of entry by
reducing lighting and HVAC system loads.
SageGlass was one of 12 technologies selected by the GSA
for this year’s Green Proving Ground program. SageGlass has also
provided technologies to the Torrington Port of Entry in Wyoming and the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Research Support Facility and Energy
Systems Integration Facility.